Tempted by colour?

Is your hair feeling a little drab? Grey roots starting to show?

Colouring your hair for the first time can seem a little scary. But don’t worry. Suyo’s colour specialists, Tasha, Laura, Ellie and Kelly, have given you the low-down on the hair colour options available, how to achieve the right result for you and tips on maintaining that gorgeous salon colour longer…

Colour virgins

Remember you don’t have to make a drastic change. This summer subtle balayage fades are popular with natural roots blending seamlessly to sun-kissed ends. Whilst just washing a semi-permanent colour through your hair can make you look and feel so different. Feel more confident.

At Suyo we always start with an in-depth colour consultation. If you’ve seen a colour you love in a magazine please bring the pictures with you – it ensures we know what you like and want.

We’ll then assess your natural hair tones, any colour that has been applied previously, your eye colour, complexion and lifestyle. Then, and only then, we’ll give you our professional advice on the tones that will work best for your hair.

What is the difference between semi-permanent and permanent hair colour?

It’s a question I often get asked by my clients. It’s quite simple really…

Semi-permanent hair colour is perfect if you’ve not had colour before as it gently fades away in 8-12 washes. Root re-growth is less noticeable too. Brilliant for pepping up your look in the short-term.

Permanent hair colour is just that. Permanent. It adds more impact and lasts until it grows out, is cut out or is bleached out. Permanent shades do mean root re-growth that needs regular maintenance.

Banish that grey hair

Grey hair comes to us all sooner or later as our follicles stop producing melanin, our hair’s natural pigment. Deciding if, and when, you want to cover your grey hair is never easy.

For me there are two approaches to covering grey hair:

The low maintenance option is best for those with a smattering of grey hair. We brighten your hair with highlights and blend in the grey for a more youthful barely sun-kissed look. It’s finely done so as it grows out you’re not going to get any major demarcations or root lines.

The high maintenance way is to ask your colourist for a full cover-up if the amount of grey is starting to bother you. We take great care to ensure the base hair colour and tone are right for your skin and eyes. I think the best way to do this is by keeping the colour quite natural. Perhaps a couple of shades lighter than your original hair colour and then add a sprinkling of highlights. You will need regular root touch-ups which means regular Suyo visits, but you’ll look and feel a million dollars.

Professional tricks to keep your colour looking vibrant for longer

Don’t wash your hair for two days after your colour service. Avoid swimming and saunas for a couple of weeks too as both heat and chlorine cause colour fade.

You wouldn’t use any old face wash so give your hair the same consideration. Always use a colour-protecting shampoo and conditioner as they’re specifically formulated to reduce fade and dryness. I like the L’ANZA Healing Colour Care range.

The biggest reason for fading colour is water. So don’t stand directly under the shower spray unless you’re rinsing, and keep the water warm, rather than hot.

SPF isn’t just for your skin. Always apply a sun protection barrier product such as Paul Mitchell’s Sun range. Do pay close attention to the crown as it catches the most sun.

Finally, guard against heat damage. Before you reach for your straightening irons, hair-dryer or curling tongs spray on a heat-protective product – I like L’ANZA Thermal Defence spray.

Thinking about colouring your hair? Why not book a complimentary consultation with one of Suyo Hairdressing’s colour specialists? Call 0121 427 3229 to book or see our colour services menu.